Mijain Lopez Retires After Fifth Olympic Gold

Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez has made history by winning his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the Greco-Roman 130kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a feat never before achieved in any individual Olympic event. Lopez, 41, defeated Chilean Yasmani Acosta 6-0 in the final, after which he symbolically retired by leaving his shoes on the mat. His five Olympic golds span from Beijing 2008 to Paris 2024, breaking a tie with legends like Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps, who each have four consecutive golds in their events. In an emotional farewell, Lopez expressed a sense of loss but emphasized his desire to inspire future generations. Acosta, who once trained alongside Lopez as a Cuban citizen, honored him by calling him a legend in the sport. Lopez leaves behind an impressive legacy as a five-time world champion and a source of inspiration for young athletes.